Rare “medium-sized” pug with a heart-shaped padlock to the collar, as on the pug of Count Brühl

In November 1741 Kaendler mentions the model of the pug of ‘medium size’ for the first time (Pietsch 2002 p. 87; Rafael in Keramos 203-204/2009 p. 53). However, this model, of which a pair is in the porcelain collection in the Zwinger, is still without a base (Inv. no. PE 3894 and 3895; 17,9 and 17,3 cm high = Pietsch 2006 nos. 297, 298).

He added the ‘grass’ base during his revision of the Pug Dog in June 1744, as we can read in his work report (Pietsch p. 103 serial no.. 1): "Two new pug dogs, sitting on grass, begun to be sculptured and given the proper form, which were then completed by the sculptor Reinicken."

And further on in December this year (Pietsch p. 106 serial no. 3, 4): "A Pug Dog of Fine Size newly made Seated on Grass Which Has Been Best Presented According to Nature." / "Another female pug of previous size, who has a young dog with her that sucks, also sitting on grass, made in the best way possible."

As a pair, Kaendler also explicitly mentions the pug model in his Taxa (Rafael no. 95 and 96 in Keramos 203–204 / 2009 p. 53): "1 medium-sized pug dog with a young pug, naturally presented, for His Majesty the King, 4 Thlr." / "1 single pug dog as companion to the previous one, 3 Thlr."

Comparative pugs (selection of medium-sized examples with grass bases):

• The T&T Collection, Dumortier/Habets 2019 Nos. 1-3
• South German private collection, Helke/Schandelmaier 2020, nos. 30–39 (nos. 30 and 31 also with heart-shaped padlock)
• Rainer Rückert, Meissener Porzellan, Bayerisches Nationalmuseum, 1966, nos. 1091 and 1092
• Dr Remé Collection, Hamburg, Lange, Berlin, 7–9 April 1938, no. 724, pl. 60
• Madame Nelly Hanni
• Christie’s, Geneva, 20 November 1970, no. 487, pl. 25
• Mrs A. E. Parker, Sotheby’s, 28 November 1967, no. 129a